Quantum-Adaptive Neural-Blockchain Defense Grid (QANBDG) A Defensive-Only, Post-Quantum Reference Architecture for Securing Operational and Classified Critical Infrastructure (FAIR-D Canon | Final Ultimate Edition — Clean Preprint)

🔷 Zenodo Publication Record DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18128389Title:QANBDG: A Defensive-Only Post-Quantum Reference Architecture for Securing Operational and Classified Critical Infrastructure Author:Dr. B. MazumdarIndependent Interdisciplinary Researcher–ScholarFounder, FAIR + D Canon (India, 2025) 🔷 Description (Final Complete Ultimate Edition – Clean | International Policy & Research Standard) The Quantum-Adaptive Neural-Blockchain Defense Grid (QANBDG) defines a defensive-only, zero-assumption post-quantum reference architecture for securing operational, classified, and multi-billion-value critical infrastructure against advanced persistent and future quantum-enabled cyber threats. QANBDG is defensive by construction, explicitly excluding offensive cyber operations, exploitation logic, reconnaissance, or escalation pathways. Defensive intent is enforced structurally—rather than by policy alone—in alignment with IEEE P7009 ethical autonomy principles and international norms on responsible state behavior in cyberspace. The architecture formalizes a four-layer Defensive Continuum: L1 – Quantum Anchor Layer:Cryptographic survivability using NIST FIPS 203/204/205-aligned post-quantum primitives (ML-KEM, ML-DSA, Falcon) with cryptographic agility and encrypted computation support, ensuring long-term confidentiality beyond the quantum threshold. L2 – Cognitive Sentinel Layer:Federated neuro-symbolic anomaly detection enabling early identification of zero-day and low-signal threats under strict data sovereignty and privacy constraints. L3 – Immutable Audit Fabric:A permissioned, privacy-preserving zero-knowledge audit ledger enabling sovereign accountability, lawful oversight, and verifiable compliance with regulated security environments (e.g., NIS2, CMMC 2.0, DFARS-aligned contexts). L4 – Cyber Digital Twin Range:Simulation-based defensive validation and anticipatory resilience testing through controlled cyber digital twins, preventing live-system exposure. QANBDG introduces a Proof-of-Defense paradigm, allowing systems to demonstrate lawful, non-offensive defensive behavior through immutable auditability and constrained autonomic adaptation. This archival preprint is intended as a policy-grade and research-grade reference architecture for sovereign governments, public infrastructure operators, and regulated critical systems planning post-quantum cybersecurity governance. It is not an operational deployment mandate or a cyber weapon, but a foundational framework for lawful, future-resilient defense design. 🔷 Keywords Post-Quantum Cryptography; Defensive-Only Architecture; Zero-Assumption Security; Neuro-Symbolic AI; Sovereign Auditability; Cyber Digital Twins; Post-Quantum Cyber Governance